SPRING/SUMMER 2016 Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health FOUNDATION TOUCHING LEGACY FOR PEACE ARCH HOSPITAL HOGG BURSARY AWARDS PEI DOCTOR AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT TO THE NEW ER LYNNE QUIGLEY & PATRICIA JOHNSTON MEET Carry on the tradition for the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society ✚ LEADING THE WAY WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST EDITION OF ! As usual, the Foundation office has been buzzing with activity. We wrapped up our 2016 Gala, whichthrive raised a staggering $435,000+ for the purchase of a brand new, modern digital x-ray unit for the hospital’s medical imaging department, and the plans are coming together for the ER expansion and new residential care and hospice facility. Needless to say, it has been all hands on deck! Speaking of the Peace Arch Hospital Gala, we decided to shake things up for 2016 and create a whole new experience for our guests, some of whom come year after year. Our Vintage Vegas themed evening was a huge success complete with Elvis, the Rat Pack and a special appearance by Marilyn Monroe who sang her rendition of Happy Birthday to our outgoing board chair, Art Reitmayer, as only Marilyn can. Look for pictures of this fun night of philanthropy on page 6. I would also like to introduce you to our new board chair, Siobhan Philips, who took the reins just last month. She is a dedicated volunteer and passionate fundraiser who has a long history of giving back to her community. Check out pages 12 and 13 for a profile on Siobhan. Lastly, we feature two extraordinary donors in this issue – Westland Insurance who recently made a gift of $500,000 to the ER expansion project and the late Margaret Rodgers, a wonderful friend of the Foundation who dedicated her final birthday to fundraise for Peace Arch Hospital. She was deeply committed to inspiring others to give and wanted her legacy to live on long after she was gone. We think she did just that. We hope you enjoy our beautiful summer on the Peninsula! Stephanie Beck Siobhan Philips 2 thrive CONTENTS 15521 Russell Avenue SPRING/SUMMER 2016 White Rock, BC V4B 2R4 T 604.535.4520 peacearchfoundation Donor Profile Feature Story pahfoundation 4 8 www.pahfoundation.ca Margaret Rodgers’ birthday tradition leaves a touching legacy for Peace Arch Hospital. 2016-2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Siobhan Philips – Chair Our Thriving Geoff Funke – Vice-Chair 5 The women of the Peace Arch Art Reitmayer – Past Chair Hospital Auxiliary have been Janice Stasiuk – Treasurer Community raising funds for more than Stephanie Beck – Secretary Crescent Park’s community garden 60 years. Graham Cameron grows partnership and comradery Bob Cooper between generations. Monica Dahl Save the Date Peter Donaldson 10 Brent Ellwyn The 10th Annual Great Pumpkin Run Walk hits the Jaye-Lynn Gooch beach on October 30. Harp S. Hoonjan Kim Karras Jane Manning Community Al Schill 11 Grant Turnbull Connection Appointed Representatives 6 Raising Funds Hogg Bursary recipient and Rhonda Veldhoen – Fraser Health Authority/ medical student, Joanne Peace Arch Hospital Reid, crosses the country for Dr. Robert Cheyne – PAH Medical a White Rock practicum. Dr. Peter Skepasts – PAH Medical Lynne Sinclair – City of White Rock Megan Knight – City of White Rock Alternate Foundation Mary Martin – City of Surrey 12 The Foundation brings Sin City to Barbara Steele – City of Surrey Alternate White Rock for Vintage Vegas, the Spotlight 2016 Peace Arch Hospital Gala. Meet Siobhan Philips, the Foundation’s new board chair. 14 Making a Published by: Contributors: Peace Arch Hospital & Amy O’Leary + Community Health Foundation Andrea McCorkell Difference Managing Editor + Writer: Graphic Design: Vicki Brydon, Director, Kennedy Anderson Westland Insurance Public Relations Creative Group makes an extraordinary gift to the new ER. SPRING/SUMMER 2016 3 ✚ DONOR PROFILE When she was 16 years old, Margaret Margaret made a very touching speech Rodgers received news that no teenager in which she discussed her life and the should hear: she had bone cancer in her importance of supporting the hospital. shoulder blade and she would not live to She implored her guests to realize they see her twentieth birthday. would all need to use it at some point. After refusing to have her arm amputated Of utmost importance to Margaret at the shoulder, she tried what was then was spreading the idea that for special a very experimental treatment – chemo- occasions, instead of receiving unneeded therapy. When Margaret celebrated her gifts from our families, we could ask them 60th birthday – realizing she had lived to donate to the hospital instead. She 40 years longer than expected, her sister believed passionately that if as many held a party in England where the guests people as possible would ask their families raised £500, which she donated to her and friends to donate to the hospital, or mother’s hospice. hold fundraising parties like she did, the Every five years, Margaret celebrated amount could add up to very significant with another fundraiser. After 50 years of and meaningful donations to the hospital, “miraculous survival,” she raised $1,000 and to the wellbeing of our community. MARGARET and donated it to Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation. For her 75th birthday this past October, Margaret “I hope that my little RODGERS contacted staff at the Foundation to inquire about planning another celebra- contribution could be just tory fundraiser, fearing this one would the start of what could This is our community truly be her last birthday. mushroom into a significant hospital and we can be On October 24, 2015, 60 of Margaret’s proud of it. But ongoing closest friends, acquaintances and amount, on a continuing community support is colleagues gathered to celebrate at basis, as more and more required too so they can Victory Memorial Park, the most suitable people contribute yearly venue she could find, as well as a source give patients – possibly of ironic humour for her – Margaret had a on their birthdays.” YOU – the best treatment spry and witty way of speaking about life possible. and death. Margaret continued to move this dream forward even as she was becoming increasingly ill. She passed away on March 23, 2016. Margaret was a phenom- enal woman, a passionate leader, and a close friend to Peace Arch Hospital. She will be dearly missed. In her own remarkable words: “...at least I will have survived long enough to try to help all those who survive me with this idea to encourage a better community spirit.” If you would like to donate to Margaret Rodgers’ tribute fund, or learn more about fundraising on behalf of the hospital, please visit pahfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/tribute-giving 4 thrive OUR THRIVING COMMUNITY ✚ Thanks to one of the Foundation’s “This really is a community outreach From encouraging physical activity Because People Matter grants, a new and engagement project,” says Neil and social connection to improving inclusive community garden operated Fernyhough, Manager of Community mental and emotional health through by Alexandra Neighbourhood House Programs at Alexandra Neighbourhood the therapeutic practice of gardening, recently opened on a one-acre site House. “One of our principles is that the benefits of participating in a located on 128 Street and 25 Avenue, community gardens should be a community garden are numerous. And just behind Crescent Park Elementary neighbourhood activity. Gardeners the best part is a refrigerator filled with in South Surrey. In alignment with the frequently get together for barbecues fresh produce that you grew yourself, Foundation’s Our Healthy Community and pot lucks, increasing the bonds all summer long. initiative, the project aims to nurture of community and reducing social To learn more information or to social connection and encourage isolation.” find out how to get involved, visit healthier food choices by providing the Fernyhough says another important alexhouse.net/community-garden opportunity for enthusiastic gardeners aspect of a community garden is the or contact Neil Fernyhough at of all ages and abilities to grow their access it provides to safe, organic local 604.535.0015 extension 236 or email own fruits and vegetables. sources of food. [email protected]. Of the 58 garden plots, 46 are 10’ x 5’ raised beds, 10 are 4’ x 8’ wheelchair- accessible beds and two are designated for Crescent Park Elementary Community gardens provide an opportunity for students to learn alongside the most education on food and food production in general. experienced gardeners. A percentage of the plots are also reserved for Kiwanis From composting to growing to cooking and Park Place residents. preserving food, and back to composting again. SPRING/SUMMER 2016 5 ✚ RAISING FUNDS Presented by On Saturday, May 14, a sold-out crowd lined the red carpet at Centennial Arena to celebrate Peace Arch Hospital and the Golden Age of Las Vegas. An astounding $435,000 (net) was raised for the purchase of a critically-needed digital x-ray unit for the hospital’s radiology department. The evening featured performances by the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley, Liza Minnelli and a special rendition of Happy Birthday sung by Marilyn Monroe to Foundation Past Chair, Art Reitmayer. It was a spectacle of dazzling entertainment that also included the famous Las Vegas show girls, a sleight of hand magician, casino games and the fantastic party music of The HitZone. Our guests – community and business leaders, philanthropists and caring citizens - attended Vintage Vegas because they believe their family, friends and neighbours deserve the best healthcare possible. I know I speak for our medical staff, physicians and patients when I say how truly grateful we are for your contributions. - Stephanie Beck, Executive Director A tremendous thank you to our exceptionally generous donors and sponsors, and our tireless volunteers who joined us in Las Vegas, White Rock-style! 6 thrive RAISING FUNDS ✚ Purely Local A group of wonderful women in our community formed Purely Local, a pop-up shopping event on April 9 in support of pediatric equipment in Peace Arch Hospital’s emergency department.